Ministers of Care

Caring for the sick and the dying is a very important part of the love we share and show one another as a community, and in the way we value life as Christians. In this, we take example first and foremost in the life and ministry of Jesus, who healed many, and always took time to visit the sick and the dying.

Our Eucharistic Ministers of Care bring Holy Communion to those who are unable to join the community at Mass, either temporarily or for an extended period. Lay ministers visit homes, hospitals, and nursing homes, uniting the homebound to the other members of the parish through the body of Christ.

Being a Eucharistic Minister of Care requires a minimum of time, usually two to three hours a week. With the growth of our Parish, there is a much greater need for ministers to serve the nursing homes and our Parishioners who are homebound. Please consider joining us in this important and rewarding ministry.

This is a very rewarding Ministry and the people we visit are so grateful! Our ministers have often said that they receive so much more than they give. Training is required for all Eucharistic Ministers of Care and new Ministers must have completed all 3 parts to be certified. Certification is then good for 3 years.

Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Recipients of the Anointing of the Sick

General Introduction (Pastoral Care of the Sick pg. 13)

• The Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.
• The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then again falls ill or if during the same illness the person's conditions becomes more serious.
• A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery.
• Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.
• Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by this sacrament.

Opportunities at St. Andrew the Apostle for the Anointing of the Sick

• Immediately following the weekly Friday morning Mass. 
• At least once a year a special Mass is held, usually on a Saturday. Anointing of the Sick takes place during the Mass.
• Home visits: special requests can be made by calling the parish office. 
• Hospital visits: requests can be made by calling the parish office
• 480-899-1990.